The above query is one which understandably considerations people who find themselves contemplating bringing a medical negligence declare. This sort of authorized declare can take a very long time to resolve. Though not all the time the case, it’s not unusual for circumstances to take a number of years to conclude. Some sufferers would require persevering with medical care or therapy throughout this time.
The straightforward reply to the query is that making a declare for medical negligence shouldn’t impression your ongoing therapy – there may be no discrimination towards those that are bringing such claims.
The connection of belief is necessary between physician and affected person and it’s comprehensible that this may break down in some circumstances the place a declare is being made. If you don’t want to proceed to see a specific physician or medical practitioner, towards whom you make allegations of negligence, then you’ll be able to ask to your care to be transferred to a different division or physician throughout the treating hospital – topic to any related points with the actual therapy.
Altering Hospitals
If you wish to transfer hospital, versus merely seeing a distinct physician or practitioner inside your present treating hospital, then there may be a number of points to think about. These could embody whether or not your treating hospital specialises within the space of therapy you require in addition to the hospital’s location. Finally, it’s a choice so that you can make based mostly in your particular person circumstances.
Do I would like to alter my GP surgical procedure?
The identical guidelines apply to GPs as to every other physician. A affected person bringing a medical negligence declare towards their GP, the surgical procedure or a member of employees, shouldn’t be requested to go elsewhere. Nevertheless, you’ll be able to, after all, change surgical procedures if you wish to. Another choice is to ask to see a distinct GP inside your present surgical procedure.
Kingsley Napley’s James Bell, Head of Medical Negligence, discusses this specific difficulty with training GP and medico-legal professional Dr James Jarvie in a latest episode of our podcast – KN talks. They focus on the likelihood that sufferers may very well get a greater service inside their present surgical procedure for the reason that docs there can be particularly involved about what has occurred. The podcast, together with insights on different matters surrounding authorized claims towards GP claims, may be discovered right here.
What about non-public care?
Some sufferers bringing claims towards the NHS will wish to have non-public therapy going ahead and points to think about embody prices and high quality of care.
Personal remedies can typically be claimed as a part of medical negligence compensation however the extent of that is an space the place a specialist medical solicitor might want to advise.
If you happen to want therapy now then awaiting the result of a declare to pay for personal care might not be one of the best route.
In some circumstances, it’s doable to acquire an interim cost from the Defendant to permit non-public therapy to start. Typically, professional proof have to be obtained to indicate that the therapy is critical. Once more, that is one thing a solicitor will advise upon totally. It is very important instruct a solicitor with vital expertise of medical negligence claims. At Kingsley Napley, our specialist group are extremely skilled in acquiring early interim funds the place doable for our purchasers. James Bell has written about a few of the authorized points surrounding acquiring early funds for therapy in larger element right here.
What if my therapy is affected indirectly as a result of I’ve complained?
Do you have to really feel that your therapy is compromised by the truth that you have got made a grievance or declare then this ought to be raised with the hospital, clinic or GP surgical procedure. If you’re within the course of of creating a declare that is additionally a matter you’ll be able to focus on along with your solicitor who ought to present assist and recommendation all through.
No matter your circumstances, you could not be dissuaded from making a declare over considerations that your therapy can be affected.
There’s additional details about how one can deliver a medical negligence declare on our web site.
If you’re involved in regards to the medical therapy that you just or a member of your loved ones has acquired, please contact our pleasant and delicate group for a no obligation dialogue.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Hannah Fletcher has over 5 years’ expertise in each medical negligence and private damage claims, together with these with a world ingredient, having labored as a paralegal previous to qualifying as a solicitor in 2021. Hannah has acted for purchasers with a variety of accidents, with specific expertise in catastrophic accidents together with spinal twine accidents, mind accidents, start accidents and amputations. She has a specific curiosity in claims referring to neurological accidents.